Machine shut-down device



2 Sheets-Sheet l A. J. BOURGAULT ET AL MACHINE SHUT-DOWN DEVICE Dec. 30,1969 Filed Aug. 19, 1968 A. J. BOURGAULT ET AL 81 MACHINE SHUT-DOWNDEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. ALBERT JOSEPH BOURGAULT ATTORNEYS.

ROBERT ALEXANDER HARWARD n [Univ Dec. 30, 1969 Filed Aug. 19, 1968United States Patent Office 3,487,181 Patented Dec. 30, 1969 3,487,181MACHINE SHUT-DOWN DEVICE Albert J. Bourgault and Robert A. Harward,Norwood, N.C., assignors to Collins & Aikman Corporation, New York,N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 19, 1968, Ser, No. 753,521Int. Cl. B65h 25/14 U.S. 'Cl. 20061.I3 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A device is provided, which may be disposed above or belowweb-carrying rolls and other rotatable elements of machines,particularly with regard to filamentary tow processing machinery. Thedevice is operative by means of material (tow) build-up, for example, onrolls, beyond a predetermined clearance which will effect a knock-off orshut-down of the machine by mechanically pivoting components of thisinvention, which are operative to open a mercury switch, therebydiscontinuing power to the machine.

Background of the invention In the past, various machines, particularlyin machines adapted for processing filamentary tow, such as turbostaplers, or machines which receive a tow filamentary material, havebeen operative to pass the same through an inlet section comprisingvarious guide bars, through tensioning rolls, through cascading rollsections, through a heating section, between intermediatepressure-applying rolls, through a section of breaker bars, throughdelivery rolls and through a crimper box. It has been recognized that,due to buildup of the tow, for example, on a given roll, the continuousrotation of such rolls transmits forces attendant to such build-up toroll bearings and the like, thereby subjecting bearings and othermachine components to extremely high forces which tend toward breakageof machine components.

Also, in the past, many such operations have been inetficient in thatconsiderable down time would be required during instances of towbreakage because the broken tow would often wind around variouscomponents before the machine could be shut down, thereby increasingstresses on such components to the extent that breakage and part failurewould occur. In order to correct such breakage and part failure, thedown time would be considerably longer than if it were only necessary tore-thread the tow web through the machine.

Summary of the invention The present invention seeks to obviate theabove and other undesirable difficulties experienced in the tow handlingand processing art, as well as in other arts, by providing a noveldevice which may be attached to a tow handling or procesesing machine inpreferably several places, to sense tow material build-up and to effecta knock-off r shut-down of the machine immediately. In this regard, ashaft is provided having a pivotally mounted sleeve attached theretowhich carries a flap which may be engaged by tow build-up for pivotingthe sleeve for actuating a mercury switch, which would then open andshut off power supply to the machine.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide anovel device for effecting rapid machine shut-down, comprising a shaftabout which a pivotal sleeve is mounted, wherein the sleeve carries aflap, the striking of which causes pivotal movement of the sleeve and iseffective to shut down the machine operation, preferably through aswitching device.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel device forfacilitating increased machine efliciency, as well as for facilitatingshutdown of the machine by an operator.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel device whichmay be located at several positions throughout a machine so that anoperator can easily reach any such place in the event of any emergencyfor shuttingdown the operation of the machine.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel device forfacilitating the shut-down of a machine, preferably one for carrying orotherwise processing a web of filamentary tow material, wherein apivotal device is utilized which has a normal gravity-urged position,but which may be pivoted to another position by web or tow build-up, forshutting down the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing brief description of the drawing figures, a detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a tow processingmachine, utilizing several of the devices of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view throughthe machine of FIGURE 1, taken generally along the line of IIII ofFIGUREI.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view of thedevice illustrated in FIGURE 2 taken generally along the line of III-IIIof FIGURE 2, and wherein the normal position of a pivotal portion of thedevice of this invention is illustrated in full lines, and wherein apivoted position of the device is illustrated in phantom lines, with aroll to which the device is applied being also illustrated in phantomlines.

FIGURE 4 is a top perspective view of a device according to thisinvention, wherein portions of the pivotal sleeve are illustrated asbroken away to show several of the internal components of the device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made toFIGURE 1, wherein there is illustrated a tow processing machine,generally designated by the nu metal 10.

Filamentary tow yarn 11 is delivered from a tow carton 12, passingthrough a series of curved bar guides 13, 14 and 15, over a straight barguide 16, around a straight bar guide 17, and downward into an inletsection of the machine 10, passing around a pair of tensioning guides,18 and 20 as illustrated in FIGURE 1, around a width control bar 21,over a tensioning guide 22, around a centering control bar 23, over atensioning guide 24, and through the nip between a pair of input rolls,25 and 26. The input section is generally designated by the numeral 27,and extends from the tensioning guide roll 18 to the input rolls 25 and26. The input rolls 25 and 26 may be provided with a pressure-applyingand adjusting means (not shown).

It will be noted that a machine shut-down device 28 of this invention iscarried on atop surface portion 30 of the machine 10 and disposedgenerally parallel to and vertically above the axis of rotation of theroll 25.

The tow 11, upon passing through the input rolls 25 and 26, would passaround a plurality of cascade rolls 31, 32, 33 and 34, between a pair ofplates 35 and 36 of a heater 37, around another plurality of cascaderolls 38, 40, 41 and 42, and then through a pair of intermediate rolls43 and 44. It will be noted that the intermediate roll 44 may also beprovided with a pressureapplying and adjusting means if desired, but ishowever,

provided with a machine shut-down device 45, also mounted on the machinesurface 30.

The yarn or tow 11 then passes through an intermediate guide 46, betweena pair of breaker bars 47 and 48, each of which are provided withalsimag breaking blades (unnumbered).

A pair of machine shut-down devices 50 and 51 may be provided,preferably one for each said breaker bar 47 or 48, respectively, toprevent the build-up of tow on either of such bars, thereby protectingthe blades of the breaker bars 47 and 48. The device 50 may be mountedon a surface 52 of the machine 10, and the device 51 may be mounted onthe side 53, as illustrated in FIG- URE l.

The tow 11 then passes through the nip provided by a pair of deliveryrolls 54 and 55, either of which may be provided with pressure-applyingor pressure-adjusting means (not shown). An additional machine shut-downdevice 56 is provided, also preferably mounted above the roll 54, yet tobe described.

Upon leaving the delivery rolls, the yarn or tow 11 then passes over aguide bar 57, between a pair of reducing guides 58, through a guide tray60, to be delivered' to a crimper feed device 61 between a paid ofcrimped rolls 62 and 63 to a crimper box 64, from which the crimped yarn65 may then pass into a sliver can 66, for subsequent delivery to amaterial fabricator, or the like.

It will be noted that each of the devices 28, 45, 50, 51 and 56 issubstantially the same, differing only in mounting. It will further beapparent that additional such devices may be utilized, for example,mounted below the rolls 26, 43, and 55, if desired. Each .of the devices28, 45, 50, 51 and 56 is substantially identical in construction, and,therefore, only the device 28 need be described in detail.

With particular reference FIGURE 2, it is seen that the machineshut-down device 28 comprises a fixed shaft 67, having a block 68 on oneend, the block 68 being slidably carried within a vertical slot of ablock 70, and being locked in a given position therein by means of acap-headed screw 71, secured within a tapped hole 69 of the block 68,through a slotted hole 72. The block 70 has a base flange 73 which iswelded or otherwise secured to the upper surface 30 of the machinesupporting structure 29, as shown in FIGURE 2.

At two places along the fixed shaft 67, there are provided a pair ofanti-friction bearings 74 and 75, each having an inner race 76,press-fitted or otherwise secured to the shaft 67, and an outer race 77welded, soldered or otherwise secured to a right-circular cylindricalsleeve 78 disposed about the shaft 67. Between each of the races 76 and77 of each of the anti-friction bearings 74 and 75, there are providedrolling elements (not shown) or the like. The anti-friction bearings 74and are secured to the shaft 67 by suitable retainers 80, for assuringthe positions of the inner races 76 of the bearings 74 and 75 along theshaft 67.

The sleeve 78 may have closed ends 81 and 82, to prevent damage tocomponents therein, and to prevent accidental accumulation of towtherein, if desired.

A weight 83, for example of key stock or the like is provided inside thesleeve 78, being welded or otherwise secured to the outer races 77 ofeach of the bearings 74 and 75, to pivot beneath the shaft 67 with thesleeve 78. The weigdt 83 is operative by means of gravity to al- 67,but, with the axes of the shaft 67 and sleeve 78 with the sleeve 78eccentrically disposed about the shaft 67, but, with the axes of theshaft 67 and sleeve 78 parallel but spaced from one another, and alignedin a common substantially vertical plane, to assure a pivotal movementof the sleeve 78 in a manner such as that shown in FIGURE 3, between thefull line and phantom positions of the sleeve 78 illustrated therein. Abracket 84 is secured by means of bolts or the like to one end of theweight 83 and carries a mercury switch 85 thereon,

the mercury switch 85 being connected into a power circuit which drivesthe machine 10 by means of wire leads 86 and 37 which pass throughclearance holes 88 and 90 in one end 81 of the sleeve 78.

A flap 91 of rubber or like construction, is carried by the body 79 ofthe sleeve 78 by means of brackets 92 and 93. The flap 91 is generallystiff, but would be sufficiently resilient not to be damaged by towstriking an edge thereof. It will be noted that the flap 91 is disposedabove the roll 25, to provide a running clearance there-betweenindicated at 94 to be approximately of an inch, but which may beadjusted as desired by means of the screw 71 and slot 72 to any desiredclearance.

With particular reference to FIGURE 3, it is seen, that the device 28would be operative such that, as the roll 25 rotates in acounter-clockwise direction as illustrated in FIGURE 3, the web or towcarried thereby would normally pass beneath the flap 91 of the device28, through the of an inch clearance slot 94. However, should the tow 11break or for any other reason tend to build-up on the roll 25, as soonas such enlarged portion of the tow 11 struck the lower-most edge of theflap 91, the flap 91 would be pivoted in a clockwise direction about theshaft 67, to the phantom line position illustrated in FIGURE 3, alsocausing the counter-clockwise pivoting of the sleeve 78, such that thebearing outer races 77 secured thereto, and the weight 83 securedthereto would also pivot in the same direction causing a tilting of themercury switch 85, which would be operative to open the circuit whichprovides power to the machine 10.

All of the devices or knock-offs 28, 45, 50, 51 and 56 are operative ina similar manner, it being readily apparent that in a case of anyknock-off devices which would be mounted beneath a roll, such as at 51,the flap 91 would be disposed on an opposite side of the sleeve 78 fromthe side having the weight 83 or across the pivot shaft 67 relative tothe weight 83. It would further be apparent that the placement of theflap 91 precisely above the axis of rotation of a roll such as that 25,will yield the most direct pivoting of the sleeve 78 in response to towbuild-up on the associated roll 25.

By positioning the devices 28, 45, 50, 51 and 56, as shown in FIGURE 1,or over the three (3) main drive rolls and about the breaker bars, themachine will be protected against build-up or lap-up from damagingnumerous components of the machine 10 of this invention.

For example, the knock-ofi. 28 would prevent damage to the top andbottom input rolls, as well as prevent damage to the cushion on theseinput rolls and any gearing and cots used as well as any tow guide used.

By positioning the device 45 where shown, damage would be prevented tothe top and bottom intermediate rolls, their cushions, all their gearingand cots, and their brushes and brush holders.

The placement of the devices 50 and 51 about the breaker bars wouldprevent damage to all alsimag blades and to the top and bottom breakerbar shafts. The placement of the device 56 as shown would prevent damageto the top and bottom delivery rolls, their cushions, all their gearingand cots, as well as their brushes and brush holders.

It is apparent that the knock-01f or machine shut-down device as shownand described will protect various machine components against damagecaused by stock lap-up as well as increase machine efficiency byreducing the down time which would be attendant to reduced mechanicalfailures, such reduction in mechanical failures being effected by theuse of the devices of this invention. Also, it is to be noted that themachine shut-off device of this invention is extremely useful as asafety device, for the safety of operators or attendants of the machine10 or any similar machine in that, by the placement of such devicesthroughout a machine, an operator can readily reach any single knock-offor device in the event of an emergency, and strike the same causing thepivotal movement of the same to operate the mercury switch in the mannerdescribed for intentional shut-down of the machine.

While only a preferred embodiment of the device has been shown anddescribed, and while only a preferred use of the same has also beendisclosed herein, it will be apparent that various modifications may bemade in the details of construction, as well as in the use of the deviceof this invention, all within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for facilitating rapid machine shut-down of machinesconveying continuous material past moving components thereof, inresponse to undesirable build-up of material on machine components, saiddevice comprising, a fixed shaft for mounting spaced from and across amachine component on which material is carried, a sleeve disposed aboutsaid fixed shaft, means permitting pivotal movement of said sleeve aboutsaid fixed shaft, flap means carried by said sleeve for disposition withan end of said flap means mounted for running clearance relative to amachine component, and means responsive to relative pivotal movementbetween said shaft and pivotal sleeve for effecting a discontinuance inmachine operation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means permitting pivotal movementcomprises anti-friction bearing means.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein weighting means are provided insidesaid sleeve, mounted for pivotal movement with said sleeve, for urgingthe orientation of said flap means in a selected direction relative to agiven moving machine component.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said latter means comprises mercuryswitch means.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one machine component isincluded in the combination, said component comprising a rotatablemember, said sleeve having its axis of rotation parallel to and insubstantially the same vertical plane as the axis of rotation of saidmachine component, said flap means also being normally disposed in saidsame plane.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein means are provided for adjustablypositioning said flap means with an end thereof in close dispositionrelative to said machine component.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein a plurality of rolllike members areprovided in pairs, comprising said rotatable members, and wherein saidpairs are provided with at least one said shut-down device.

' 8. The device of claim 5, wherein said rotatable member comprises abreaker bar of a filamentary-tow-handling machine.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein said sleeve is eccentrically carriedrelative to said shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,430,893 11/1947 Todd ZOO-61.18X 3,185,784 5/1965 Geiger et a1. ZOO-61.18

HERMAN O. JONES, Primary Examiner Patent No Inventor(s) 3,487 ,l8l DatedDecember 30, 1969 Albert Joseph Bourgault and Robert Alexander HarwardIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2 line 60 change atop" to --a top-- Column 3, lines 24 and 25change "to a crimper feed device 61 between a paid of c,-ri-mped rolls62 and 63 to a crimper box 64, from which the" to read --to a crimperfeed device 61 between a pair of crimper rolls 62 and 63 to a crimperbox 64, from which the-- Column 3 lines 65 to 73 the sentence commencingwith The weigdt 83. .etc should read ---The weight 83 is operative bymeans of gravity to always assure a desired normal position of thesleeve 78, with the sleeve 78 eccentrically disposed about the shaft 67but, with the axes of the shaft 67 and sleeve 78 parallel but spacedfrom one another, and aligned in a common substantially vertical plane,to assure a pivotal movement of the sleeve 78 in a manner such as thatshown in Figure 3, between the full line and phantom positions of thesleeve 78 illustrated therein.

Signed and sealed this7th day of July 1970 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.Commissioner of Patents

